Living In A MovieIs This Normal? “I Experience Life As if I’m Watching Myself in a Movie” When you're literally acting for an invisible audience every day, it's easy to get caught up in observing yourself rather than experiencing life. By Devrupa Rakshit
Reading It WrongPandemic May Have Impaired Our Ability to Assess Risks, Finds Study People may be overweighing unlikely probabilities but underweighting likely ones -- like the risk of catching infection by not wearing a mask. By Devrupa Rakshit
Not In My ControlWhy Anxiety Can Sometimes Make People Feel Unsafe Even in Safe Environments “[I]ndividuals suffering from an anxiety disorder cannot control their feelings and behavior even if they wanted to.” By Devrupa Rakshit
Season's Lonely GreetingsWhy the Festival Season Can Feel So Isolating "When there is an expectation of performing happiness and feeling joyous or celebratory… I do very badly.” By Rohitha Naraharisetty
Sign Me Up Please?Spain Has Set Up a ‘Crying Room’ to Dispel Stigma Around Mental Health The space features signs like “Enter and cry” or “I too have anxiety,” and tells visitors it’s okay to ask for help. By Devrupa Rakshit
Sound Not OK PleaseWhy Foot Tapping or Chewing Sounds Make Some People Anxious For people with misophonia, specific sounds can trigger emotional or physiological responses including irritation and panic. By Saumya Kalia
"I'm So Sorry"Is This Normal? “I Apologize To Inanimate Objects” My over-apologetic nature and my tendency to attribute human traits to objects contribute to why I say "Sorry!" to inanimate things. By Devrupa Rakshit
Stop Moving!Why Seeing Others Fidget Is Stressful for Some People At least one in three people experience misokinesia, that is, being annoyed at small and repetitive movements, according to new research. By Saumya Kalia
Mental Health Risks In The AirAir Pollution Linked to Severe Mental Distress, Even Hospitalization: Study "Even small increases in NO2 in the atmosphere can lead to a 32% higher risk of needing outpatient treatment for mental health." By Devrupa Rakshit
Pain Pain Go AwayChronic Pain May Alter Brain Chemistry, Affect Emotional Regulation, Research Shows When the brain experiences long-lasting, intense pain signals, people have less neurological ability to modulate anxiety or even depression. By Devrupa Rakshit
Feverishly StressedAll You Need to Know About Stress‑Induced Fevers Called psychogenic fever, the condition can be triggered by both acute and chronic stress -- and is found to occur more frequently in women. By Devrupa Rakshit
Two Sides Same CoinPeople With Anxiety, Eating Disorders Interpret Body Sensations Differently: Study A recent study including people with anxiety, depression, anorexia, and panic disorders showed "how intertwined physical and mental health are." By Devrupa Rakshit
Need A Good Night's SleepChildhood Insomnia Linked to Anxiety, Mood Disorders in Young Adults: Study "[E]arly sleep interventions are warranted to prevent future mental health problems," experts say. By Devrupa Rakshit
Wave of EmotionsWhy Second‑Wave WFH Burnout Feels So Different From Regular Work Stress Right now, our bodies are processing more than just stress — there's grief, helplessness, anger, and many other emotions we're experiencing simultaneously. By Devrupa Rakshit
Can't Lose ControlIs This Normal? “I Hate Surprises” Surprises catch people unprepared and disrupt their routine; they also induce the feeling of losing control. By Devrupa Rakshit
Can't StopWhy People Who Self‑Harm Struggle To Quit Injuring oneself not only provides a sense of control but also releases endorphins that induce a sense of euphoria. By Devrupa Rakshit
What's So Funny?Is This Normal? “I Make Terrible Jokes When I’m Nervous” Resorting to humor activates the endorphin system in the brain, making it easier for people to withstand difficult situations. By Devrupa Rakshit
A Timely MessageSlow Texters Are Making a Strong Case for Not Replying To Everything Instantly Slow response times are a rejection of the lockdown expectation that everyone is constantly available. By Saumya Kalia